Listening with compassion

When my grandmother, Jane, passed away this January, her obituary mentioned the people who truly made a difference in her care, the people who communicated with her on personal level. A few of them were nurses, but others were the recreation therapist who brought in that special cup of coffee, the housekeepers who shared their plans for dinner and the chaplain who shared the stories of his travels. She taught everyone that kindness, respect and communication go a long way. It is a lesson we can all carry forward.

Shelley Evans MT-BC, AC/Educator-BC, CADDCT, CDP, ACC, is the Director of Communication and Marketing for the National Association of Activity Professionals Credentialing Center (NAAPCC). Shelley has over 27 years of experience working in both long-term care and outpatient mental health. She is a board-certified Music Therapist and Activity Consultant/Educator. She is the Founder and CEO of Dementia Resources of the Finger Lakes, LLC, providing both dementia education and resources for care partners and professionals.